expired Posted by RevOne | Staff • Mar 19, 2025
Mar 19, 2025 6:48 PM
Item 1 of 1
expired Posted by RevOne | Staff • Mar 19, 2025
Mar 19, 2025 6:48 PM
R36S Retro Game Emulation Handheld (Black) w/ 64GB MicroSD Card
+ Free Shipping$20
$40
50% offAliExpress
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A couple of things to keep in mind:
This is an entry level device and will handle stuff like NES/SNES/Genesis/GB/PS1 pretty much flawlessly. You can get some lightweight N64 and Dreamcast working but don't count on anything. You won't be emulating Switch or PS2/3 on a $20 handheld.
The stock OS is serviceable but if you have the tech know-how or can follow guides, you will have a much nicer experience with custom firmware. The options are listed in the guide I'm linking.
The device may come with some included games but you can add your own as well. Having said that, the included SD card is garbage and known to fail. I would recommend finding an inexpensive quality card for either custom firmware or at minimum copying the data from the included card.
This does not have built in ethernet or WiFi so you will need to either use one of the known working type C wifi dongles or manually connect the SD card to your pc via adapter. This isn't a big deal for copying games over but scraping box art can take a while either way.
This guide will get you started with custom firmware options if you're so inclined. I'm not affiliated with this site but there is a ton of information here.
https://retrohandhelds.
For those with a 3d printer, there is a case for it on makerworld which fits well.
Anything in the Anbernic XX line of handhelds will be a good step up. They all use the same base chipset and the difference is only in form factor/battery capacity. They include a GBA style, an SP style, vertical, horizontal and a few other styles. All perform the same and can give you access to more of the N64 and Dreamcast library plus some of the PSP library as well. (One caveat, the RG35XX is not the same as the RG35XX Plus. The non-plus is an older chipset while the Plus is the same as the other XX chipsets.) - Price range is from around $35 to $45 after coupon depending on the model.
Examples: Grey RG35XX Plus - https://www.aliexpress.
Grey or Silver RG35XXSP - https://www.aliexpress.
Use code USAFF6 on these.
If you none of the Anbernic lineup looks good, the Trimui Smart Pro is a community favorite. It has a different chipset than the Anbernix devices but is similar in power. If you are after a PSP style feel, this might be the one for you. Around $41 before tax at the moment with that same code. https://www.aliexpress.
There are a few other companies and models and all have their niche. Unfortunately, the same price range means about the same performance. If you're looking for things like full N64/Dreamcast or PS2/3 performance then the price range jumps as you have to start looking into the Android based models. There are a few to look at currently but we're well past the $20 range from the R36S.
Lowest Android based T618 system - Should get you N64, PSP, DS etc easily with a little bit of PS2/GC/3DS but again those are not guaranteed.
RG505 - https://www.aliexpress.
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Custom Firmware for R36S
I've been looking for a device for my mom to play Tetris on to keep her mind active in her older age.
Buy one of those clear plastic Freznel lenses (maybe 6"), then build a tiny frame for it, and she'll be able to hold the game under it and see it about twice as large, all for less than 5 bucks.
For those with a 3d printer, there is a case for it on makerworld which fits well.
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My last device I just ended up buying a custom modded SD card from someone on Etsy lol
There are lots of vendors on Ali, but the one posted here, Boyhom, is of of about 8 trusted vendors to send you the actual unit and not a clone of a clone (R36S is actually an inexpensive clone itself). As mentioned in other posts, the first thing to do is to get yourself a new micro sd card and replace the one that's included. It's guaranteed to fail shortly after you use it.
I never thought about buying micro sd cards on aliexpress, but with all the fakes on Amazon as well, and with all the units I give out as gifts, I started buying Sandisk 64 gb micro sd cards from aliexpress for $3. I chose the vendor that had the most sales (50k+) and best reviews. I have ran all cards from aliexpress on H2test and they have all checked out.
Like another poster said, there is a R36S grip you can 3D print that will make playing it on so much easier. The one I personally print out is this one: https://www.thingiverse
These things have thousands of games nintendo, super nintendo, sega genesis, pc engine, arcade, all the different game boys (NDS not so good since it has 2 screens), neo geo, playstation 1.
Price wise, these things cannot be beat. If you're into the older games that maybe top out at SNES, or even playstation, there is no reason to spend more to get something expensive.
Please keep in mind if this is your first unit, you will have to spend quite some time to update all your controls and stuff for the various games. I also spent many hours going through all list of games included and deleting the roms that were unplayable, repeats, or just wont ever get played.
There are groups on facebook that you can join to get a lot of support about these things, that's how I got started.
Cheers!
got it last year summer for about $26 and it has two lines of dead pixel upon arrival.
aliexpress was fine with the return and refund.
but the unit itself just feels very cheap and low quality.
compared to other units with slightly price point anbernic rg35xxh rb35xx, etcc..
get the RG35xxSP. very good quality. and good custom firmware. itis ahout $36 now.
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